Here's what I'm doing

I finally found out what I am going to be doing! I met with Eric on Friday after our meeting was delayed all week for various reasons (flight issues, demonstrations, the usual). His study is comparing two ways in determining when to start infants on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Generally, babies should be started on ART asap. The participants were recruited from the inpatient wards and have been exposed to HIV through their mothers. Since infants have their mother’s antibodies, the rapid antibody tests cannot be used - tests must directly detect the presence of HIV.

The 2 arms of the study are the standard of care and point of care RNA tests. Right now, the standard of care is that babies are HIV tested with dried blood spot DNA PCR that is sent to a government lab, but this test takes at least a month to get results back (meaning increased chances of the patient being lost to follow-up). Whether to start the infant on ART is determined by whether the baby is symptomatic and then given a presumptive diagnosis.

POC RNA tests are not yet available but will be soon. The UNC Project lab, however, can turn over these lab results in about 48 hours. Since the participants are inpatient, this method is being considered as POC for the purposes of the study. These tests mean that an HIV diagnosis can be given immediately and ART can be started, but they are more expensive and require higher technology. When the test comes out, this study could provide valuable information on whether the government should change their policies.

What exactly will I be doing until December? In the mornings I am going to shadow and get some clinical experience/exposure (I even get my own stethoscope!). If I get bored, I can also organize other things to do, maybe see some surgeries or find a way to make some money. Then (after a 2 hour lunch break, score) in the afternoons I will be working on the study database and entering in data. Although this part will probably be tedious, I think it will allow me ways to figure things out, learn about clinical research, and hopefully give me ideas of other ways I could contribute to the study.